Sachem's Neck, now known as Mashomack Preserve, is a 2,000 acre farm on Shelter Island, Long Island, New York, which was owned by the Nicoll family from about 1680 to 1930. The Nicoll family featured in the books below lived there from 1831 to 1899. The field above was the one they viewed from their front porch.

The Nicolls of Sachem’s Neck – based on a daughter’s collected letters -- reveals the true story of a decent family, infected by her husband’s addiction to alcohol, which rallies to protect her and her children. Written by Patricia and Edward Shillingburg. The book is available at lulu.com, and at the Shelter Island Historical Society. $25

Charlotte Ann Nicoll's saved letters were written by all six of her siblings, her parents, several of her aunts, friends from school, and herself. They were found 120 years after she died, and here are transcribed. Edited by Patricia and Edward Shillingburg.The book is available at Amazon.com and lulu.com, and at the Shelter Island Historical Society. $25

Commissioned by Mashomack Preserve, a subsidiary of the Nature Conservancy, this wonderful little book presents what was known of the history of the Sachem's Neck penninsula in 1990. Written by Muriel Porter Weaver. It is available from the Mashomack Preserve Store. $10